THE QARDEN/NQ world 
January 2, 1.91)4. 
16 
possible, and if any enthusiast located so far north, as Aberdeen¬ 
shire can shed a redoubled light on this' intricate and absorbing 
theme, then a vast body of skilful cultivators will not be slow 
in hailing the innovation with no mean degree of honour. 
J. C. Peebles. 
Calanthe Veitchii. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir,-—Replying to " Semi-Darkness-’s ” inquiry, through the 
medium of your valuable journal, December 19 th, page lU49, 
respecting an exhibit of Calanthe Veitchii and Cypripedium 
insigne, with your permission I should like to make a Tew re>- 
marks upon the same. Calanthe Veitchii is in the front rank of 
our autumn flowering Orchids, and should command a position 
in every collection, however small. No plant, is more graceful 
or effective than Calanthe Veitchii when arranged with Ferns 
and Palms ; it is also a grand acquisition. It is in great demand 
for ladies’ sprays and the embellishment of the dinner table. 
If “ Semi-Darkness ” can produce pseudo-bulbs 71 in. in cir¬ 
cumference and 10J in. in length, he certainly understands 
their requirements, and is master of the situation. In spite of 
his critic’s statement to the audience assembled, that the ex¬ 
hibit was without merit, the readers of The Gardening World, 
I am sure, would gladly welcome a few remarks from the pen 
of “ Semi-Darkness ” on their cultivation and management. 
Cypripedium insigne isi o-nei of the most accommodating 
Orchids we have, suiting the requirements of amateur and 
professional alike. It can easily be grown in a greenhouse tem¬ 
perature ; the flowers lasting six weeks in perfection alone re¬ 
commends it, and “ Semi-Darkness’s ” exhibit was an exhibit 
of merit in cultivation, even if his critic deemed otherwise, as 
he might well feel proud himself if he could produce such plants 
in 6-in. pots with thirteen to fourteen expanded flowers. 
My advice to “ Semi-Darkness ” is to take no notice of such 
advanced critics, but push forward in the path so well begun, 
as only those who have attained success know the obstacles 
such critics are ever ready to place in and strew the path of 
the persevering. Wm. Penton. 
University College, Reading, 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Dear Sir,—Probably your readers will be interested in a 
new departure which is being taken, by the Horticultural De¬ 
partment of this college. The council have decided, as you 
will see from the enclosed prospectus, to offer four scholar¬ 
ships to young gardeners t,o prepare them for the R.H.S. 
Examination. It is believed that this, will meet a want that, 
has long been felt of encouraging the best, of young gardeners, 
to devote, one year to training in, the more scientific side of 
the subject, and to get that training at, a tune when they are 
best able to profit by it,; that is, when, they have practically 
completed their first, apprenticeship before they enter on. a, 
responsible 1 position. I shall gladly send you any further ins 
formation you desire. Francis Allrigiit. 
Registrar. 
Potatos and their Propagation. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir,—Referring to your issue, of December 26th, 1903, page 
1056, re Potatos and their propagation, we quite agree with 
the remarks of your correspondent, "A. D.," to a certain 
extent,; still, we, do, not believe the method he describes is so 
largely carried out as is, inferred in his remarks. We,, being 
extensive growers, and living in a district which is one of the 
most important Potato-growing localities in "the kingdom:, 
are. acquainted with a, good many growers, and we - "must in all 
fairness to the trade generally say that round here the method 
of propagating the extensively-boomed varieties is not, carried 
on, to such an extent as to, do any harm to the constitution of 
any varieties grown in this district; and speaking for our¬ 
selves, we can most truthfully say that although we. grow a 
large number of sorts, yet altogether we have not raised 
2 cwt. from cuttings or sprouts. Our Mr. Charles Bradley 
holds a certificate for agricultural chemistry, and when new 
kinds, of Potatos are introduced they are given ordinary cul¬ 
ture in soil that is, considered most, suitable for growing 
Potatos for seed purposes, and as we send Potatos, all over the 
kingdom we should soon hear if our sotcks did not give 
general satisfaction. 
Such kinds, however, as Northern Star would require to be 
very rigorously treated to materially suffer, for a few years at 
any rate. Personally, we, in all our experience, have never 
seen thei like® of this variety. We tested it thoroughly last 
season, and even those that were cut to single eyes were 
so vigorous that they spread out such bushy tops: that they 
spread over 4 square feet, whilst they stood up like sturdy 
Gooseberry hushes. It, does not grow a tall top, but is: of a. 
peculiar branching habit, and when, the sets are planted 3 ft. 
or 4 ft. apart each way at digging- time the ground was) 
literally full of tubers. King Edward VII. is a, very heavy 
cropper, but is not so robust as. the Star. It is, however, a 
variety that will he in great demand for several years. The 
finest kidney early variety is Sir John. Llewellyn, which is as 
heavy a cropper as many of the late kinds. Another early 
• variety that has come to stay is, Sharpe's Knockout. This is al 
round variety of most hardy constitution, and one of the 
heaviest croppers we have' ever seen. All the above varieties 
are good disease resisters. Bradley Bros., 
Seed Potato Specialists. 
Bardney, Lincolnshire, Dec. 29th, 1903. 
New Year’s Greeting. 
To the. Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir,— The Gardening World has now added another old 
year to its account; let us therefore welcome the advent of 
another new one, which I trust will prove a most prosperous 
and cheerful instructor to the many readers, “ old and young,” 
who eagerly watch for Friday’s post to add more to their store 
of knowledge from the various columns' of this valuable 
journal. 
Readers, who have gained information on subjects usually 
found difficult to cultivate, I am sure will be ready at the 
proper season to advance their experience for the benefit of 
the 1904 readers'. Gardeners are recognised as a united body, 
ever ready to impart the smallest amount of information to a 
1 rother of the craft, no matter how humble the position lie 
holds. One and all of us would, I am sure, be glad to know 
that thei “ G.W." will have many more readers' during the new 
year than it, had during the one now left behind ; let us all he 
eager and on the alert, each week, and ever ready to grasp 
the least bit “ and latest information ” on all subjects con¬ 
nected with our noble profession. 
I have frequently seen gardening periodicals lie on the side¬ 
boards and never opened only to hurriedly scan, the advertise¬ 
ment columns. I do, not, state the above remarks, or mean to 
he disrespectful to the young men, of our bothies, as there aie 
many exceptions to the above. No doubt, many readers have 
expeiienced the same state of things. T am happy to say this, 
is not general, as we have many good hardworking, persever¬ 
ing young men in the bothies of to-day, who will, I trust, give 
a good account of themselves when the time comes for them 
to take the rein,sc Many now are contributors of valuable 
articles to the pages of the “ G.W.” 
Them, again, we have the Readers’ Competition, with a prize 
for the most useful article contributed weekly, in which we 
gain, a, deal of knowledge and sound information from the pens 
of writers who have been successful in the cultivation of sub¬ 
jects mentioned in, the Readers’ Competition columns. Let us 
all unite in wishing the Editor, staff, readers and The Garden¬ 
ing World a bright, happy, and prosperous New Year. 
Wm. Penton. 
Mr. Johnstone, lately gardener at Chipchase Castle, has 
been appointed, and entered upon his duties as, gardener to 
John T. Laing, Esq., Linden Park, Hawick. 
